GOP watch: 'Speaker' Boehner's access for lobbyists

"To the House minority leader, 'Speaker' Boehner seems to have a nice ring to it," Politico's Martin writes. "So much so that months before any midterm votes are cast, John Boehner of Ohio is putting his own face on the GOP's drive to take back the House by quietly launching a 'Boehner for Speaker' committee that aims to boost the party's lagging fundraising, in part by introducing him as a 'regular guy' from Ohio."

"But while the effort plays up Boehner's modest roots, the going rate to participate is pricey: According to materials distributed by Boehner's camp and obtained by POLITICO, lobbyists and other major donors across the country who give the maximum or help raise $100,000 will get meetings with Boehner, calls from senior aides with updates on the campaign and 'VIP access to all events, including roundtables, briefings, breakout discussions and interactive panel discussions.'"